MX23RW : Tuesday, April 23 10:04:40| >> :120:5969:5969:
[monks data]
Attendance: 29,087
Southampton logo
Premier League
Sep 18, 2016 at 2.15pm UK
 
Swansea logo

1-0

Austin (63')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Claude Puel: 'Victory over Sparta Prague a major confidence boost'

Puel: 'Sparta win a major confidence boost'
© SilverHub
Claude Puel admits that Thursday evening's victory over Sparta Prague was "important for the confidence of the squad" after a winless start to life on the south coast.

Southampton manager Claude Puel has backed his team to push on from their Europa League victory over Sparta Prague and pick up their first Premier League win of the season this weekend.

The Saints made a bad start to life under the Frenchman, failing to win any of their opening four top-flight games to find themselves inside the division's bottom three at this early stage.

Southampton's fortunes may well have changed, however, with a resounding victory over Sparta at St Mary's on Thursday evening ensuring that they finally got off the mark under Puel at the fifth attempt.

Speaking to reporters ahead of Sunday's meeting with Swansea City on the south coast, Puel told reporters: "I think it was good for the players - they played a good game but it is just the first win and it is important now to continue.

"I think this game was important for the confidence of the squad. I said yesterday it was important to show that Southampton have good players.

"We can see yesterday the quality of the players and it is okay for me to change the team because all the players have good spirit and good personality."

Southampton face Swansea, West Ham United and Leicester City in the league, while also taking on Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup, prior to the second international break of the season.

ID:281420: cacheID:281420:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2306:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
A general shot of the Europa League trophy on June 24, 2013
Read Next:
Europa League roundup: Irish minnows Dundalk make history
>
Read more about Claude Puel Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leicester CityLeicester432941081394291
2Leeds UnitedLeeds44279880374390
3Ipswich TownIpswich432611685533289
4Southampton43259985562984
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom4420121267442372
6Norwich CityNorwich442191477611672
7Hull City431812136254866
8Coventry CityCoventry4217121366521463
9Middlesbrough44189176460463
10Preston North EndPreston44189175661-563
11Cardiff CityCardiff44195205061-1162
12Bristol City441611175147459
13Sunderland44168205251156
14Swansea CitySwansea441511185762-556
15Watford441217155958153
16Millwall441411194355-1253
17Stoke CityStoke441311204460-1650
18Queens Park RangersQPR441311204157-1650
19Blackburn RoversBlackburn441310215874-1649
20Plymouth ArgylePlymouth441212205869-1148
21Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds44138233968-2947
22Birmingham CityBirmingham441210224864-1646
23Huddersfield TownHuddersfield44917184774-2744
RRotherham UnitedRotherham44412283285-5324


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!